Health is something that should always be a top priority. Being a healthy person leads to a happier lifestyle, and who doesn’t want to be happier? A great way to keep your health a priority is to make exercising, working out, and eating clean a priority. When exercising, your heart rate increases and your body allows itself to release endorphins into your brain. Endorphins release a positive feeling into the brain, which can give you a feeling of success and helps you become a happier person.

Exercise is great for helping people who deal with depression as well as anxiety. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, getting exercise combined with the right amount of sleep can help deal with anxiety. Exercising can take your mind off of whatever is causing you to be upset, and it can also be a way to be proud of yourself. It allows a distraction and allows a way out of your mind by helping you focus on something else besides your current problem.

Eating right should also be a top priority when taking care of your health and your body. You can have a consistent workout plan, but without the right foods, it will be a lot more difficult to reach your goal. Even if you don’t workout, there are tons of health benefits that come along with putting the right things in your body. It can reduce cancer risk, improve gut health, decrease bloating, help with weight loss, better skin, and help with maintaining strong bones and teeth. I’m not saying you have to eat green leaves and salads everyday for the rest of your life. Just maintain a healthy balance between junk food, and healthy food. Because, who doesn’t want an ice cream cone and cake every once in a while?

Working out doesn’t always have to be a chore and something you just dread doing. There are all kinds of different ways to exercise. You don’t have to go out and run five miles then lift weights for an hour. Even a fifteen minute bodyweight workout is better than no workout at all. Find exercises that you enjoy doing, and make it more of a fun time instead of something you hate. Going for a walk, going for a jog, or even just dancing in your room is still getting your body up and moving around. Set a goal, enjoy it, and find ways to motivate yourself into getting up and doing something active with your body.

Basically what I am trying to get at, is that exercise combined with a healthy diet and a good amount of sleep is a great way to keep your physical as well as mental health in line. You don’t have to workout seven days a week for three hours a day. Start small, set goals, and work your way up to where you want to be. According to studies, in 2016, only 22.5% of the United States meets the physical activity guidelines. Which means that three quarters of U.S. citizens are not getting the proper amount of exercise. Start now, start young, and watch yourself transform into a much happier person.